NFL Draft 2012: 5 Biggest Needs for the Atlanta Falcons in 2012

The blockbuster draft-day trade last year when the Atlanta Falcons acquired wide receiver Julio Jones solidified the wide receiver position.

However, the trade came at a steep price. The Falcons lost their first and fourth round draft picks this year. Revamping the team with elite young talent will be tougher than ever with the lack of high picks.

The roster still has glaring holes, despite the team making the playoffs three of the past season.

Atlanta's offensive line was exposed in the postseason defeats. Future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez is aging. Punt and kick returner Eric Weems left in free agency. The Falcons have failed to maintain a presence along the defensive front.

The Falcons hope to address all of these issues in the offseason, and the draft is one way to do so.

When the situation entailed a 4th-and-short, the Falcons couldn't deliver the necessary yardage. In the first-round playoff loss to the Giants, Matt Ryan was stuffed twice on quarterback sneaks on 4th-and-inches.

The underlying problem is the blocking hasn't been adequate. The Falcons forgot that they're not going anywhere without the men up front.

In particular, the tackles need upgrades to solidify the edges. By all accounts, left tackle Sam Baker, a 2008 first-round draft pick, has been a bust. Baker was benched in a game last season due to poor performance.

Jerry, a first-round pick in 2009, is close to becoming labeled a bust, if he hasn't been already. Jerry missed most of the 2009 season with knee injuries and was not productive on the field in the two seasons since.

The Falcons could use an upgrade at the defensive tackle position in the draft.